Exercise cycle with locking mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides an exercise cycle with a stationary frame, a seat, a pedal mechanism, and a rotating wheel. Resistance is offered to the rotating wheel by an adjustable brake assembly. A handle bar assembly is pivotally mounted to the frame to move back and forth toward and away from the user positioned on the seat. A locking mechanism is associated with the handle bar assembly, so that with the locking mechanism in a first position, the handle bar assembly is precluded from pivoting. With the locking mechanism in a second position, the handle bar assembly is allowed to pivot toward and away from the user. A resistance mechanism is also associated with the handle bar assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An exercise cycle comprising: frame means for positioning on a support surface;   seat means fixedly adapted to said frame means to support a user thereon;   drive means adapted to said frame means for operation by the feet of a user positioned upon said seat means;   first resistance means adapted to said frame means and drivingly interconnected to said drive means to resist movement of said drive means;   handle bar means having two spaced apart supports pivotally adapted at a lower end thereof to said frame means separate from said drive means and said first resistance means for pivotal exercise movements toward and away from the user positioned on the seat means, said handle bar means including handle means fixedly secured to both of said two spaced apart supports at the upper end thereof, said handle means being positioned for grasping and for pivotal movement by the user positioned on the seat means;   second resistance means interconnected to and between said handle bar means and said frame means to resist movement of said handle bar means;   a bar secured to and between said two spaced apart supports;   locking means adapted to said frame means for selectively engaging and disengaging said bar to prevent movement of said handle bar means and positioned for operation by a user positioned on said seat means between a first position disengaged from said bar in which said handle bar means is movable toward and away from the user and a second position engaged with said bar in which said handle bar means is locked in a preselected position and not movable; and   lever means connected to said locking means for operating said locking means between said first position and said second position, said lever means being positioned between said seat means and said handle bar means for operation by a user positioned on said seat means.   
     
     
       2. An exercise cycle comprising: frame means for positioning on a support surface;   seat means fixedly adapted to said frame means to support a user thereon;   drive means adapted to said frame means for operation by the feet of a user positioned on said seat means;   first resistance means adapted to said frame means and drivingly interconnected to said drive means to resist movement of said drive means;   handle bar means having two spaced apart supports and a first end pivotally adapted to said frame separate from said drive means and said first resistance means for pivotal exercise movements toward and away from the user positioned on the seat means and a second end spaced from said first end and positioned for grasping by a user positioned on said seat means for exercise movements toward and away from said user;   second resistance means interconnected to and between said handle bar means and said frame means to resist pivotal movement of said handle bar means;   a bar secured to and between said two spaced apart supports;   locking means adapted to said frame means for selectively engaging and disengaging said bar to prevent movement of said handle bar means and positioned for operation by a user positioned on said seat means between a first position disengaged from said bar in which said handle bar means is pivotally movable toward and away from a user and a second position engaged with said bar in which said handle bar means is locked in a preselected positioned; and   lever means connected to said locking means for operating said locking means between said first position and said second position, said lever means being positioned between said seat means and said handle bar means for operation by a user positioned on said seat means.   
     
     
       3. The exercise cycle of claim 2 wherein said locking means includes: a shaft secured to said frame means and   catch means adapted to said shaft and operable between said second position in which said bar is engaged and said handle bar means is locked and not movable and said first position in which said bar is disengaged and said handle bar means is movable relative to said catch means.   
     
     
       4. The exercise cycle of claim 2 wherein said locking means includes a pair of spaced-apart members both secured at one end to said frame and both secured together at the other end by said handle means. 
     
     
       5. The exercise cycle of claim 4 wherein said locking means includes: a shaft transversely mounted to said frame means;   a latch adapted to said handle bar means;   catch means adapted to said shaft operable between said first position in which said latch is engaged and said handle bar means is locked and not movable and said second position in which said latch is movable relative to said catch means; and   wherein said lever means is positioned to rotate with or about said shaft.   
     
     
       6. The exercise cycle of claim 4 wherein said frame means includes: leg structure shaped and formed for positioning on the support surface and to support the exercise cycle with the user thereon, said leg structure having a forward leg portion and a rear leg portion;   a housing member affixed to said leg structure having a face portion reachable by the arms of said user positioned on said seat means, said lever means extending through said face portion.   
     
     
       7. The exercise cycle of claim 6 wherein: said first resistance means is a wheel with a brake adjustably associated therewith operable by the user to vary the resistance; and   said second resistance means is a fluid cylinder interconnected between said support structure and said frame means.   
     
     
       8. The exercise cycle of claim 67 wherein said seat means includes a support member connected to said frame to extend upwardly therefrom with a seat attached at the upper end of said support member. 
     
     
       9. The exercise cycle of claim 7 wherein said drive means includes: a pedal assembly positioned for movement by the feet of said user; and   a chain and sprocket drive assembly interconnected between said pedal assembly and said wheel for rotation of said wheel upon operation of said pedal assembly.   
     
     
       10. The exercise cycle of claim 5 wherein said catch means includes a pawl having an indentation formed proximate its distal end to register with said latch, and wherein said pawl is secured to said lever means to rotate said indentation into and out of registration with said latch as said lever is moved between said first and second positions. 
     
     
       11. A exercise cycle comprising: frame means for positioning on a support surface;   seat means fixedly adapted to said frame means to support a user thereon;   drive means adapted to said frame means for operation by the feet of a user positioned upon said seat means;   first resistance means adapted to said frame means and drivingly interconnected to said drive means to resist movement of said drive means;   handle bar means having two spaced apart supports pivotally adapted at a lower end thereof to said frame means separate from said drive means and said first resistance means for pivotal exercise movements toward and away from the user positioned on the seat means, said handle bar means including handle means fixedly secured to both of said two spaced apart supports at the upper end thereof, said handle means being positioned for grasping and for pivotal movement by the user positioned on the seat means;   second resistance means interconnected to and between said handle bar means and said frame means to resist movement of said handle bar means;   a bar secured to and between said two spaced apart supports;   locking means adapted to said frame means for selectively engaging and disengaging said bar to prevent movement of said handle bar means and positioned for operation by a user positioned on said seat means between a first position disengaged from said bar in which said handle bar means is moveable toward and away from the user and a second position engaged with said bar in which said handle bar means is locked in a preselected position and not movable;   lever means connected to said locking means for operating said locking means between said first position and said second position, said lever means being positioned between said seat means and said handle bar means for operation by a user positioned on said seat means;   a shaft mounted to said frame means; and   catch means adapted to said shaft and operable between said second position in which said bar is engaged and said handle bar means is locked and not movable and said first position in which said bar is disengaged and said handle bar means is movable relative to said catch means.